Distributor, layered header, heat exchanger, and air-conditioning apparatus

Abstract

A distributor includes a first branch flow path for dividing a first flow path into a plurality of second flow paths, and includes a first communication flow path communicating with the first flow path, a second communication flow path communicating with each of the second flow paths, and a bent portion connecting the first and second communication flow paths. The bent portion includes an inner peripheral wall portion including an inner face having a first radius of curvature, and an outer peripheral wall portion including an inner face having a second radius of curvature larger than the first radius of curvature. The second communication flow path includes an inner wall portion extending from the inner peripheral wall portion of the bent portion, an outer wall portion extending from the outer peripheral wall portion of the bent portion, a base portion and a tip portion. The distance between oppositely facing side walls of the base portion is greater than the distance between oppositely facing side walls of the tip portion. The outer wall portion has a liquid film separation unit that forms a boundary between the base portion and the top portion.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A distributor comprising:
 a first flow path; 
 a plurality of second flow paths; 
 a first branch flow path for dividing the first flow path; and 
 a plurality of second branch flow paths for dividing the first branch flow path into the plurality of second flow paths, 
 each of the second branch flow paths being configured to include 
 a first communication flow path communicating with the first branch flow path, 
 a second communication flow path communicating with each of the second flow paths, and 
 a bent portion connecting the first communication flow path and the second communication flow path, 
 the bent portion including 
 an inner peripheral wall portion including an inner face having a first radius of curvature, and 
 an outer peripheral wall portion including an inner face having a second radius of curvature larger than the first radius of curvature, and 
 the second communication flow path including 
 an inner wall portion extending from the inner peripheral wall portion of the bent portion, and 
 an outer wall portion extending from the outer peripheral wall portion of the bent portion, wherein 
 the second communication flow path includes a base portion and a tip portion, and the base portion is located between the tip portion and the bent portion, 
 the base portion and the tip portion have oppositely facing side walls, respectively, 
 the distance between the oppositely facing side walls of the base portion is greater than the distance between the oppositely facing side walls of the tip portion, and 
 the outer wall portion includes a liquid film separation unit that forms a boundary between the base portion and the tip portion. 
 
     
     
       2. The distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid film separation unit is a protruding portion formed on the outer wall portion. 
     
     
       3. The distributor of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid film separation unit is a recess portion formed on the outer wall portion. 
     
     
       4. The distributor of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third branch flow path connecting one of the second flow paths and a plurality of third flow paths. 
 
     
     
       5. A layered header constituting the distributor of  claim 1 , wherein
 at least a first plate body in which the first flow path is opened, a second plate body in which the first branch flow path is opened, and a third plate body in which the second flow path is opened are layered integrally. 
 
     
     
       6. A heat exchanger including the layered header of  claim 5  and a plurality of heat transfer tubes, wherein the heat transfer tubes and the layered header are connected to each other. 
     
     
       7. A layered header constituting the distributor of  claim 1 , wherein
 at least a first plate body in which the first flow path is opened, a second plate body in which the first branch flow path and the second branch flow path are opened, and a third plate body in which the second flow path is opened are layered integrally. 
 
     
     
       8. A heat exchanger including the layered header of  claim 7  and a plurality of heat transfer tubes, wherein the heat transfer tubes and the layered header are connected to each other. 
     
     
       9. A heat exchanger including the distributor of  claim 1  and a plurality of heat transfer tubes, wherein the heat transfer tubes and the distributor are connected to each other.